Last updated: Wednesday, March 5, 2025 1:50AM GMT
LIVE: President Trump to address nation in joint session of Congress
President Donald Trump is scheduled on Tuesday to address a joint session of Congress, as his second administration moves to recast the federal government, implement “America First” policies and redefine U.S. support for Ukraine.
The speech comes after markets tumbled following Trump’s steep tariffs on key U.S. trading partners. Meanwhile, his administration could sign a mineral deal with Ukraine as soon as today after a tumultuous Oval Office meeting last week between Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
ABC News will have special coverage of Trump’s speech from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET on ABC and ABC News Live, which streams on Disney+, Hulu and other digital platforms as well.
Here’s how the news is developing.
Trump leaving the White House
Trump is now leaving the White House for the U.S. Capitol. He walked out of the White House hand in hand with first lady Melania Trump.
Rep. Mike Thompson is Democrats’ designated survivor
Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., announced Tuesday that he was selected as the Democrats’ designated survivor by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
As designated survivor, Thompson will remain at a “secure, undisclosed location off campus” to ensure continuity of government in case of a catastrophic event.
Some Democrats have expressed they will not be in attendance tonight.
Fired civil servants, Medicaid recipients among Dem guests
Many Democrats are bringing fired civil servants, farmers impacted by Trump’s tariff war, and folks who depend on Medicaid and Medicare, according to House and Senate members who have revealed their guests.
Republicans have invited a concentration of law enforcement officers and other officials.
Some Democrats to skip Trump’s joint address to Congress
Several Democrats have said they do not plan to attend President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress on Tuesday.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has said he will be in attendance “to make clear to the nation that there is a strong opposition party ready, willing and able to serve as a check and balance on the excesses of the administration.”
Here are the Democrats who have said they will skip Trump’s remarks Tuesday night.
FILE — Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. speak with other members of the House of Representatives at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, Jan. 3, 2025.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
MORE | Some Democrats to skip Trump’s joint address to Congress